Driving & Driving Test Tips: when to change gear, turning a corner, straight road

Question
Hi

I live in the uk I have had about 3 driving lessons so far and my instructor says that i am doing realy well but i just have 1 question for you when your turning a corner your supposed to stay in 2nd gear but if im coming up to a corner in 3rd gear when should i change to 2nd and just 1 more thing i have been told that you can go down in gear just on a normal straight road but when you go down in gear that means using the breaks and i did not think this was allowed.

            thanks for your time  

Answer
Hi Chris

I am sorry for the delay in responding, I returned from Spain only today and should have been logged off AllExperts.

However, to your question.
You would need to change gear early enough on approach to have completed the gear change and returned to giving full attention and control just prior to turning, remember to factor in the time needed to check mirrors and signal as well – the gear change counts as part of the manoeuvre in the “Mirror, Signal and Manoeuvre” prior to turning.
This will need practice to judge how far ahead to start but it is worth it because it is vital that you have completed all this before beginning to turn, leaving it too late will mean you have too much to do on the corner to be able to cope with anything unexpected.
Also it is acceptable to use your brakes to slow to a suitable speed in order to change down a gear.

Regards,

Phil